Louis C.K. Returns to Indie Film to Direct and Star in ‘I’m A Cop’

Louis C.K. Returns to Indie Film to Direct and Star in 'I'm A Cop'

Louis C.K., whose curmudgeon comedy “Louie” is now in the middle of its fifth season, is returning to the big screen. Like his existentially angsty, triple Emmy-winning series, the comedian will write, direct and star in “I’m A Cop,” an upcoming indie produced by Scott Rudin, Dave Becky and C.K.’s stalwart collaborator Blair Beard.

THR reports: “The script tells of a depressed middle-aged man who is a volunteer police officer living in the shadow of his mother, a highly decorated retired officer. When she dies, her continued influence forces him to become a real police officer, which is something he never wanted to be.”

So why is Louis C.K., whose first film was 1998’s “Tomorrow Night,” going indie again? His experience writing and directing the 2001 Chris Rock starrer “Pootie Tang” ended sourly when distributor Paramount took him off the film during postproduction. ““I don’t feel like I need anyone to tell me anything with a TV show because I know exactly what I’m doing, but I’d be arrogant to think that I can take someone’s $8 million and just turn in a movie,” he told THR.

While “Louie” has yet to be renewed for a sixth season — that feels imminent, if he wants it — Louis C.K. is helping the show’s recurring guest Pamela Adlon launch her own FX comedy, “Better Things.” He will direct the pilot of the series, pitched as a sort-of female version of “Louie” involving a divorced mother/actress.